Freedom fighter Syed Shahidul Haque dies

Freedom fighter Syed Shahidul Haque, popularly known as ‘Mama’ or maternal uncle, has died at a hospital in Qatar.

"He died at a hospital in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday night," his sister-in-law Syeda Sharifunnesa told bdnews24.com.

He was rushed to the hospital when he fell ill during a stopover in Doha two months ago on his way to Sweden, where he lived. He had been put on life support since then.

Sharifunnesa said Shahidul’s body would be taken to Sweden and buried there.

She said Shahidul was suffering from diabetes and had kidney complications.

He returned to Bangladesh after the war crimes trial started. He also stood before the court and gave the statement as a witness in the war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla.

He joined the movement demanding death sentence of Molla and other war criminals later. His presence inspired the young members of the platform for the movement, Ganajagaran Mancha.

In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remembered the role Shahidul played during the Liberation War and the war crimes trial movement. She also extended her sympathies to the bereaved family.

The Mancha and International Crimes Tribunal also mourned the death of the valiant freedom fighter.

Shahidul, who fought the guerrilla war in Dhaka’s Mirpur and Mohammadpur, was one of the key founders of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Central Command Council. He moved to Sweden with his family in the 1980s.